‘Won’t forgive for overexcited reporting’: It’s Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb vs journalists' body

A journalist who had criticised the Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb in a social media post was attacked by a group of people after midnight.

Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has again stoked a controversy with his recent will ‘not forgive’ comment against some newspapers in the state. While commenting on the COVID-19 situation in Tripura, Deb recently took aim at a section of newspapers for ‘creating confusion’ about the pandemic.

While laying the foundation stone for the first special economic zone at Sabroom in South Tripura district on September 11, the Tripura CM said that he would "not forgive" newspapers creating confusion" about the coronavirus situation in the state.

"Some newspapers are trying to confuse people, getting over excited... History will not forgive them, people of Tripura will not forgive them and I, Biplab Deb, will not forgive them.

"I do whatever I say, history is testimony to that."

Deb's media advisor Sanjoy Kumar Mishra said that Tripura CM’s comments have been taken out of context and distorted.

"We have always tried to help the media, but a few local newspapers are trying to work with some agenda and that's not right," Mishra said.

Meanwhile, Deb’s statements have not gone down well with a Tripura journalists' body. While decrying chief minister’s comments, the Tripura Assembly of Journalists on Sunday asked Deb to take back his remark within three days.

"We condemn the undemocratic and unconstitutional comments from the chief minister. We hope he will withdraw his remark within the next three days," Chairperson Subal Kumar Dey said.

Dey also claimed that mediapersons are being attacked in Tripura following Deb's statement.

"Two journalists have been assaulted in the last 24 hours. We are deeply anxious and have decided to approach Governor R K Bais, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Editors Guild of India...," he said.

The president of Agartala Press Club accused ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of threatening media organistations.

Mishra, in defence of the chief minister, said the Tripura government is committed to the freedom of the press. "We have always tried to help the media, but a few local newspapers are trying to work with some agenda and that's not right," he said.

Notably, a journalist who had criticised the Tripura chief minister in a social media post was attacked by a group of people on Saturday night.

Tripura on September 13 reported 629 fresh coronavirus cases, pushing the tally in the state to 18,932. 12 more COVID-19 patients succumbed on Sunday, taking the fatalities count to 194.